Annubis has seen little of the pretty painted girl since the day that Khyber all but dumped her on his shores. Now that is not to say he isn’t glad of it, especially considering the alternative apparently was Lucifer, but still, he could not quite figure her out.

Maybe it was growing up in the Lagoon that caused her to take such a cautious approach to him, even he had heard the stories of how shackled and guarded the “trinkets” in the boggy swamp were. It had never been a secret nor had any stallion tried to change that view. Honestly, Annubis found it hard to believe that Khyber was that type… but then again… Izumi…Lucifer… the la-de-da take he had taken to with whom she found a home with…. It was possible. Not something he liked to think of, but possible.

So, as he had done with Vihar all those years ago, Annubis takes up the gentlier approach. He gives her space. A novel concept to many herd stallions (his own sire especially) but the sterling wolf has never been one to force his company on others (Hyacinth not included… she deserved it). Instead of hounding after her or shadowing her footsteps, Annubis merely observes from a distance, watching curiously as she explores all that Paradise has to offer. On more than one occasion, he has fought back the urge to show her special little secrets that the jungle has to offer, like the hidden spring bubbling out of the root of a tree that managed to provide the territory with fresh water even when the other streams have run dry, or the trick to following the toucans and other brightly colored parrots in the mid-morning hours to find what trees had fresh fruits to be found. He wanted to talk to her, to ask her about growing up in the Lagoon and learn more about her life. He wanted to know what she thought of Atlantis and Paradise in particular but more than anything, he is afraid to break the frayed threads that have only begun to build between them. He did not miss the white-rim of fear in her eyes after Lucifer’s less-than-veiled threat. Call him sentimental but the young wolf never wanted to be the cause of that look in any mare’s eyes.

This day, like many since, Annubis settled into what had become round about routine for him. The pale, pre-dawn light and chattering alarm of waking birds stirs him from half-lidded sleep. Lazily, he strolls through the damp forest, stretching his legs to rid the remnants of sleep from his bones. After a quick drink of water, he spends time with Hymn and Promise, reveling in the enthusiasm and spirit the filly offered. It reminded him so of his own children when they were little and reawakened a forgotten pleasure he felt in the company of such small and fragile minds.

By noon he is again patroling the borders, and spending a few extra hours along the northern edge of Paradise where Lucifer usually haunted. He has not seen or heard from the red-eyed monster as of late and while he truly hoped the obsidian stallion was gone for good, he still felt the need to check over and over again, if only to ensure that Izumi and Promise were safe. Here and there he pauses to graze, savoring the taste of new growth to be found beside a particular stream.

As the blue skies begin to change colors, the sterling stallion finds himself casually strolling along the beach, his golden gaze roaming over the glittering ocean and distant peaks beyond. Paradise is at peace, a peace that he himself has not felt in quite some time. It is soothing, the feel of the warm breeze as it tugs the tangled tendrils of his obsidian mane to life, twisting and winding them in untamed rivulets down the curve of his neck. A gentle smile is on his lips now as he closes his eyes, raven-tipped ears falling into a relaxed position.